Chinese hospital simulates child birth for men using electrodes

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Try as we might, husbands, it’s just not possible to comprehend the full experience of childbirth — that’s something your wife may have reminded you of multiple times during the process. In China, however, one hospital is offering men the chance to feel what labor is like.

The Hangzhou AIMA Maternity Hospital is holding free sessions that try to, shall we say, “teach” men how to be more sympathetic spouses. Volunteers can pop by for a free session during which they’re hooked up to a set of electrodes and “enlightened” by a team of professionals. It’s a bit like Dr. Peter Venkman’s experiment exploring the effect of negative reinforcement on psychic ability in Ghostbusters.

The program is aimed at expectant fathers or partners planning on having children, though some who sign up are reportedly just in it for the thrill. For the fathers, this is as close as many will get to experiencing the delivery room. Chinese maternity wards aren’t like they are in the West; fathers often don’t join their wives, and in some state hospitals it’s strictly forbidden.

AIMA’s educational plan starts out on level one — sort of the ‘oh’ level — and ramps all the way up to level ten, which is more along the lines of “you did this to me!!” Sessions last up to five minutes, and that sound you’re hearing now is every mother in the world cackling at the thought of five minutes at the end of a couple of electrodes comparing in any way to an extended labor and lengthy recovery period.